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Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Ducati Teases New Model Unveiling at Laguna Seca WSBK Round

Ducati released a video teasing a new model to be unveiled at the July 7 World Superbike round at Laguna Seca. The video, titled “When the End Tells the Whole Story,” offers a few tantalizing glimpses of the new model which we suspect to be a new Ducati 1299 Panigale R.

A new 1299 Panigale R is an obvious fit to Ducati’s lineup, as the existing R model is the only Panigale still using the 1,198cc Superquadro engine; the new model will likely join the 1299 Panigale and Panigale S in using the 1,285cc engine. Ducati claims the same 202 hp peak power output, but the 1299 engine reaches taht peak a little earlier while claiming an extra 6.2 lb-ft. of torque.

The headlights, taillights and bodywork all look similar to the current 1299 Panigale models. The exhaust, however, resembles the Akrapovič exhaust found on the 1299 Superleggera. The SL’s twin exhausts are mounted high, under the tail, unlike the underslung single exhaust found on the 1299 Panigale or the current 1199 Panigale R. This is significant as the Superleggera is Euro 4 compliant whereas the current 1299 and 1199 Panigales are not, and we expect this exhaust to be used across Ducati’s superbike range going forward.

While the teaser video only shows red and white bodywork, a teaser image reveals the new model will sport green for an Italian tricolore color scheme.

We’ll have more information as it becomes available, leading up to the July 7 reveal at Laguna Seca.